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February 03, 2013

On a trip to Spain while in grad school, I mistakenly sat in the train seat of a tall, dark, very handsome Spaniard. Our introduction, then flirtation, culminated in Jose Manuel's being my guide for four days. Though we kept in touch, he became serious with another. I was crushed. I married, had a child, lived an American life. He never married. We corresponded for years. After 32 years we rekindled our friendship in Greece, spent a week together, fell in love. With many visits to each other's country, time will tell. It's now 45 years, and we still feel the same about each other.

— Gail Gold

Thanksgiving week 1932: My mom was a phone operator at an off-Michigan Avenue hotel. My dad phoned a client staying there, and he liked her voice. She gave him her operator number. There was a snowstorm, and he offered to drive her home. Always cautious, she hesitated, but a co-worker overheard and said she would go along: They could drop mom off first, a block away from her real home. Also, as always, mom was late. Dad had to crank the car again. On Jan. 11, 1933, they married — and stayed that way for 59 years.

— Joan Passmore Shermach

We worked at the world's tallest building in downtown Chicago. Tom was one of my managers in the computer department, and I was the secretary. He would walk by my desk numerous times a day making small talk with me. He finally had the courage to ask me out after wearing out the carpet in front of my desk. He sent me an email asking me out. How romantic! We just celebrated 21 years of marriage and have two wonderful children. I still have the email of our date.

— Christine Sasala

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